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Amended Returns Prior Year Returns

Amended Returns Prior Year Returns. Pub 4012 Tab M Pub 4491 Page 319. Policy. To be prepared only by experienced counselors Must have been certified for year being amended or prepared [need two – one for QR] Must have TaxWise for year being amended or prepared. Why Amend a Return.

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Amended Returns Prior Year Returns

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  1. Amended ReturnsPrior Year Returns Pub 4012 Tab M Pub 4491 Page 319

  2. Policy • To be prepared only by experienced counselors • Must have been certified for year being amended or prepared [need two – one for QR] • Must have TaxWise for year being amended or prepared NTTC Training 2013

  3. Why Amend a Return • Something not correctly reported on original return • New/updated information received by taxpayer • Should or could have used a different filing status • Mistakes • Omissions NTTC Training 2013

  4. For example… • Received another (or corrected) income statement not reported on original return (W-2, 1099, ...) • Claimed personal exemption deduction when someone else was entitled to claim it • Claimed deductions or credits that should not have been claimed • Did not claim deductions or credits that should have been claimed NTTC Training 2013

  5. Filing Status Change • Couples may elect to file MFJ after having filed in a different status • Couples may NOT file MFS if they originally filed MFJ NTTC Training 2013

  6. Do Not Amend a Return • Math errors – IRS will correct them • IRS notifies taxpayer to provide missing schedules/forms – taxpayer should respond as per notice NTTC Training 2013

  7. Amended Returns • Essentially, re-filing previously filed return • Whatever was last filed* is starting point • Even if refund claimed has not yet been received • Even if balance due has not yet been paid * or as last determined (e.g., IRS made adjustment) NTTC Training 2013

  8. Amended Returns Statute of Limitations • Time within which to claim a refund • Later of: • 3 years from original due date or actual date filed if later • 2 years from date the tax was paid • State statute may differ • Exceptions to these statute rules are out of scope NTTC Training 2013

  9. Amended Returns Statute of Limitations • Additional tax owing • IRS barred by Statute of Limitation from assessing more tax • 3 years from original due date or date filed if later • Longer if fraud involved • Can always voluntarily amend and pay more tax NTTC Training 2013

  10. Amending 2013 Return • Filed 2013 return, say in February 2014 • Receive corrected 1099 in March • Wait until return is processed before submitting an amended return • Usually, 4 weeks is enough time to wait NTTC Training 2013

  11. Interview • Review return to be amended • Verify amended return is needed • Confirm all items that need to be changed • Review old Intake/Interview sheet • Were any changes made to return by IRS? NTTC Training 2013

  12. Amending a Return • Form 1040X is not year-specific – TaxWise has form in each year’s software • Must use TaxWise for the year for which amendment is to be made • If amending 2011, must use 2011 software • In TWO, URL carries the year, e.g., twonline.taxwise.com/11 NTTC Training 2013

  13. Amending a Return • Original return prepared in TaxWise at same site • Might be able to retrieve it in TWO • If cannot retrieve original return, need to re-create return • Can short cut some entries as will not be e-filed NTTC Training 2013

  14. Filing Status Change to MFJ • Couples who previously filed MFS, HH, Single, or QW may amend and file MFJ • Up to three prior year returns • Must have been legally married as of December 31 of the respective tax year NTTC Training 2013

  15. Filing Status Change to MFJ (cont) • Steps: • Start with one spouse’s return, add the other spouse’s name, identification number, income, deductions, dependents, etc. • Change filing status • Explain why amending returns NTTC Training 2013

  16. Re-creating Original Return • What must be in return • All income, adjustments, etc. as on original Form 1040 as filed • Use same forms – don’t override 1040 lines • e.g., use W-2 for wages, do not input directly to Line 7 • But don’t need employer address, etc. NTTC Training 2013

  17. Re-creating Original Return • If changing schedule or form, e.g., business income Sch C, re-create Sch C as it was in original return • If expenses listed on page 2, again list expenses on page 2 • That will be starting point for changes that are needed NTTC Training 2013

  18. Re-creating Original Return • Since amended return must be paper filed, can short-cut input • Don’t need all detail in W-2s • Don’t need all detail in 1099s • Don’t need all detail in interest or dividend statements • Don’t need all detail in charitable contributions NTTC Training 2013

  19. Sample Short-Cut Input W-2 • Enter employer name, amounts and codes • OK to F3 to clear the red NTTC Training 2013

  20. Re-creating Original Return • If IRS made change to original return, incorporate the change • In retrieved original return, or • In re-created return • If previously amended return, that is starting point • Use “last determined” return amounts NTTC Training 2013

  21. Re-creating Original Return • Verify federal 1040 (page 1 and 2) and state returns match exactly to last determined return • In TWO, “print return” and review on screen • Compare to last determined return • When sure of starting point, proceed to amendment NTTC Training 2013

  22. Work it Step By Step Pub 4012 pg M-1 • Add form 1040X • Add state amended return form, too, if applicable NTTC Training 2013

  23. Freeze as Originally Filed • IMMEDIATELY click at top of Form 1040X pg 1 to lock in original return information • Crucial first step when amending a return • Don’t forget to lock in state! NTTC Training 2013

  24. No Direct Entry to 1040X Pg 1 • Original amounts are now locked in and viewed as ‘overrides’ • DO NOT change anything on this page NTTC Training 2013

  25. Making Changes • Start with Main Info page • Change of address, filing status or dependents? • Does taxpayer now have social security number (was an ITIN when originally filed)? • Set return to paper file NTTC Training 2013

  26. Making Changes • Proceed through each change that is needed with new entry or changing an existing entry • If corrected 1099-DIV was received, change Dividend Statement entries to match new form • If new 1099-INT was received, add new entry on Interest Statement • If new or revised W-2 or 1099-R was received, go to or add the form NTTC Training 2013

  27. Example • Additional $300 of interest income Interest Stmt Looks like this on 1040x NTTC Training 2013

  28. Changes All Entered... • Review bottom line • Is amount owed or overpayment what was expected? NTTC Training 2013

  29. Form 1040X – Page 2 • Part I: Exemptions – shows changes made on Main Info Sheet • Part II: Presidential Election Campaign Fund • Check box to elect $3 president campaign fund for taxpayer (or spouse) if taxpayer wants to and did not originally do so NTTC Training 2013

  30. Part III, Explanation of Changes • Concise and easy to understand • “Taxpayer received another W-2 after original return filed” • “Taxpayer meets the qualifications to file as Head of Household instead of Single” • Mention each item that was changed • No need to say that tax liability was changed as result of other changes NTTC Training 2013

  31. Enter Date • Enter current date at bottom of Page 2 of 1040X NTTC Training 2013

  32. Quality Review • Does column A of 1040X agree to last determined return • Were needed changes made properly • Did tax recompute properly • Make a note in Taxpayer Diary or bottom of Main Info page of when amended return was prepared and why NTTC Training 2013

  33. Printing Amended Return • Print 1040X and any form or schedule that changed (two copies) • Changed itemized deductions: print Sch A • Changed business income: print Sch C • Changed education credit: print 8863 • And so on • Do not include new 1040 in print packet NTTC Training 2013

  34. Assembling Amended Return • Attach to front of 1040X Pg 1 any new or corrected forms W-2, W-2G, or 1099-R (if tax was withheld) • Assemble other forms/schedules in “Attachment Sequence No” order behind 1040X pages 1 and 2 • Attach other supporting documents at end, if appropriate NTTC Training 2013

  35. Assembling Amended Return • Do NOT attach pages from original return Other changed schedules and forms (if changed) 1040 Sch B (if changed) 1040 Sch A (if changed) 1040X Page 2 NTTC Training 2013

  36. Filing Amended Return • Must be mailed • No cover letter in TaxWise • Can print Page 5 (“Where to File”) of 1040X instructions for taxpayer to use • Taxpayer (and spouse if MFJ) must sign and date copy to be mailed • Give taxpayer an exact duplicate copy for their records NTTC Training 2013

  37. If Amending 2013 • Original e-filed 2013 return • If taxpayer owed payment, complete payment of amount due • If original return had refund, it will process normally • Taxpayer can cash refund check, if any • Okay to prepare amended return now, taxpayer should not file until 4 weeks after original return filed NTTC Training 2013

  38. Amended 2013 Return • Balance due: • Taxpayer should file 1040X by April 15 or as soon as possible thereafter with payment to reduce interest charges, if any • IRS will send a bill for interest NTTC Training 2013

  39. Amended 2013 Return • Refund: • IRS will pay interest with refund if any is warranted • Interest is taxable in year it is received • Amended returns process in ~8 – 12 weeks NTTC Training 2013

  40. Amending State Return • Follow state rules for amending return as applicable • Note: revised/new information could impact federal return but not state return or state return but not federal return, e.g.: • Additional savings bond interest -OR- • Additional municipal bond interest from another state NTTC Training 2013

  41. Taxpayer Summary Amended Return • Review amended return with taxpayer • Show changes and result of changes • Instruct taxpayer on what needs to be done to file return • Sign, address envelope, add postage • If payment required – include with return but do not “attach” it • Date by which must be filed NTTC Training 2013

  42. Prior Year Returns • Counselor with at least two years’ experience • May prepare returns for three previous years • Must be certified for year being prepared NTTC Training 2013

  43. Prior Year Returns • Taxpayer must complete Intake/Interview Sheet for prior year • Can print from prior year TaxWise • Need prior year’s software, IRS reference materials, volunteer quality/tax alerts (from irs.gov) • Follow regular policies and procedures NTTC Training 2013

  44. Prior Year Returns • Returns for 2011 and 2012 can be e-filed • State may be different • Check with ERO or Local Coordinator • Returns for 2010 must be paper filed NTTC Training 2013

  45. Amended or Prior Year Returns Comments? Questions? NTTC Training 2013

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